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TATK WTITH THE FPREN\-I
EXECUTIONER.
The startling discovery 'has just been
made by a French journalist that Ann
taole Deibler, the public executioner, is
strongly in navour of capital punishment.
Unfortunately for him, hiis occupation is
gone, or, at least, for the nonce, is in
abeyance. Parliament passed a resolution
some time ago in favour of abolishing
capitol punishment, and, pending the dis
cuseion of a bill on tihe subject, all
criminals sentenced to death are re
pnieved.. AIat,.,. Deibler, during his en
forced' leisure, received the journalist,
who claims to be the first to have ever
had an interview with a public execu
tioner since 1848, 'when, seemingly. 'the
gentlemen who wiorked the guillotine by
pressing a button were 'more easily get
nt-able. Anatole Deibler is the son of
the former executioner, who died lately,
and whiose father was in the same profes
sion before himn. Tha present Anatole
had much curious and pleasant informa
tion to give about his art and his
instruments. He lhs two guillotines,
both built in 1871, the previous ma
chine having been burnt during the Com
mune. Each cost £120. The triangular
kidife, which weighs 16lb., is north £2.
The total weight when it fall1s with its
cast-iron back is 90lb., and it drops from
a height of Sft. The journalist was given
the knife to hold, and published a picture
of 'himself handling it rather gingerly,
and looking extremely uncomfortable.
Whmsat are Deibler's "impressions" when
lhe presses the button? 1He has not any.
At first lie felt "a little quaslmy," but
"it is all a matter of habit." He looks
upon the business as "a mere surgical
operation." Indeed, he has a deep sense
of his usefulness to society. Out of the
112 criminals whom lie executed, only
one had reached his fortieth year. All
the others were aged from 18 'to 20. How
mnany more crimes would they not have
committed lhad lie not put them out of
the world,? asked Deibler. HIe is the
mildest-looking of men--dapper, neat, in
significant, with washy-blue eyes. He
has 'been 20 years in the business, hav.
inag long acted as assistant 'to his father.
His average 'annual number of executions
was under sight. SHe was appointed chief
executioner .eight years ago, and since
then has cut off only 21 heads. His
salary is £240 a year, plus £320 for ex
penses. But if his office be finally
abolished, hie has mleans of his own on
whichre to live comfortably. He is a man
of retiring disposition, does not "go iito
society" much, and has only a few inti
mates, with whom lie plays a quiet game
of cards.
Motor man-"You ian over that chap.
Are you going to stop?" "Yes; just as
soon as we reach a rel.sir shop. I heard
somnething break wctasn we lilt ilim."
Oaller--"My, what a big girl you're
getting 'to 'ae! You'll soon be able 'to
help your immother about the house."
Ethel-"Oh, I do that already. When
ever saa says, 'For goodness sake, get
out of my way,' I do it."
Fond young mother (with first-born)-
"Now, which of uss do you think he is
like?" Friend (judicially)--"Well, of
course, intelligence has not really dawn
eel In ehis countenance ye't. but lie's won
derfully like both of you."
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